Adjustable and self-storing freight tiedown apparatus



C. B. PENDLETON April 15, 1969 ADJUSTABLE AND SELF-STORING FREIGHT TIEDOWN APPARATUS Filed April 12, 1967" Sheet LNVENTOR CHARLES BIQ/A/V PE/VDLFTQ/V BY flown, flan/4 64% #64 474 Y ATTORNEYS April 15, 1969 c. B. P ENDLETON 3,438,340

ADJUSTABLE AND SELF-STORING FREIGHT TIEDOWN APPARATUS Filed .April 12, 1967 Sheet 3 of 41 A ril 15,1969 cz. B. PENDLETON 3,438,340

ADJUSTABLE AND SELF-STORING FREI QHT TIEDOWN APPARATUS Sheef, 4 of 4 Filed April 12, 1967 United States Patent US. Cl. 105369 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A heavy duty tiedown apparatus provided by a fixed tubular casing from which extend chain lengths for wrapping about freight. Corner protectors are provided between the chain and each corner of the load. The lower corner protectors are engaged in elongated casing slots and slidable to various tiedown positions. Protected within the casing is an anchored dual direction jack-screw and two separate traveler blocks, which are engaged on right and left hand threads of the jack-screw, respectively. The inside ends of the chain lengths are afiixed to the traveler blocks which are movable by turning the jack-screw from either end of the casing, and thus, the chains may be tightened or loosened, as desired.

Background of the invention This invention relates generally to a freight tiedown apparatus, and more particularly, to an adjustable selfstoring tiedown apparatus suitable for the securement of flat board plates and similar type loads.

In the past, various types of anchors were utilized to secure ties to the bed of a carrier, such as a railroad flat car, or the ilke. In some cases the anchors were fixed at permanent and immovable positions. Other anchors were adjustable by movement to spaced stops along open mooring channels. Drum type winches were sometimes employed as a part of the anchors to take up slack and tighten the tie. Hand-operated load binders atop the load were also available for tightening purposes. Unfortunately, these types of tiedown arrangements proved to be not entirely satisfactory. That is, the hand operated load binders, drum type winches, and open mooring channels, often proved to be inadequate to acquire and hold the tremendous tensions necessary for gripping loads having relatively slidable surfaces. Furthermore, the prior art anchor devices were exposed and damageprone. Their exposure to the elements allowed rust to quickly form, causing difficulty in operation. The securing and tightening of the prior anchor devices required dangerous climbing by workmen for those devices atop the cargo and sometimes from side to side of a carrier whenever necessary for adjustment. Storage of chains, when not in use, was provided either by projecting side sill pockets or was nonexistent.

Summary of the invention Therefore, to overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of the prior art, the general object of this invention is to provide a new and improved freight tiedown apparatus which facilitates tightening and securing of ties about flat board plates and similar type cargoes. To this end, the present invention teaches a novel anchoring and tightening apparatus having an elongated tubular casing fixed transversely across the bed of a carrier. A dual direction jack-screw is anchored within-the casing at the mid-portion. Two separate traveler blocks, one for the right hand thread and another for the left hand thread of the dual direction jack-screw, are provided for travel within the mid-portion of the casing. Lengths of chain are fixed, One to each of the traveler blocks, and extend outward from the mid-portion of the casing to wrap about the freight. The jack-screw may be rotated from either side of the carrier, either to bring the traveler blocks together, or to separate them. In this manner, the chain lengths may be tightened appreciably, by a jack-screw having a high degree of mechanical advantage. The jack-screw and traveler blocks are completely enclosed within the casing and thus protected from damage and the weather. Adequate lubrication cannot weather away, insuring freedom from rust and a dependable quick and easy operation. The protective casing has slots in the upper surface, from each end to the mid-portion thereof, allowing the tie to move along the slots to different positions and accommodate varying width loads. A corner protector is provided between the chain and each corner of the load. The lower corner protectors have under flanges engaged within the casing and are slidable along the slots to various vertical tie positions at a lower corner of the load. The lengths of chain and corner protectors may be dropped, when not in use, for storage within the slots. The invented tiedown apparatus is also readily amenable to fork lift loading, particularly when the casings extend above the general level of the bed or deck surface. Furthermore, since jack-screw operation is by rotation, considerable conservation of time is available through the use of portable power wrenches.

Thus, one of the objects of this invention is to provide a freight tiedown apparatus which is adjustable and selfstoring.

It is an object of this invention to utilize the high mechanical advantage of a jack-screw for tightening and securing freight.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tie down apparatus which may be quickly and satisfactorily operated from either side of a carrier, or from ground or bed level, or an adjacent loading dock.

It is still another object to provide a tiedown apparatus that is protected from damage and the weather.

Another object is utilization of portable power tools for quick and efficient operation of a freight tiedown apparatus.

It is an object to load bed.

Also another object is to provide a heavy duty and rugged freight tiedown which is economical to produce by utilizing a minimum of conventional, currently available components that lend themselves to standard massproduction manufacturing techniques.

Further and other objects, and a more complete understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

provide corner protectors for the which cooperate in securing the load to the carrier Description of the drawings For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred, it being understood, however, that this invention is not necessarily limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities there shown.

FIG. 1 is a broken plan view of a carrier bed employing a plurality of the tiedown devices of the present invention.

FIG. 2, in larger scale than FIG. 1, is a transverse section through the carrier bed, showing a side profile of the freight tiedown apparatus with a load thereon.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tiedown apparatus of FIG. 2, but without the load thereon.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the tiedown apparatus shown in FIG. 2, partially in section. taken in the direction of the arrows 44 and broken to compress the length thereof.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken in the direction of arrows 5-5 of FIG. 3 and also broken to compress the length thereof.

FIG. 6 is an alternate cross-section to that shown in FIG. 4, taken at a different level.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are an end view and cross-sections of the tiedown apparatus, respectively, taken in the direction of the appropriately numbered arrows of FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial sectional side elevation, illustrating a length of chain and corner protectors secured about a typical load.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-section illustrating typical storage of an upper corner protector and chain.

FIG. 16 is a fragmented plan view of a tiedown chain length and accompanying corner protectors.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional end view showing the engagement of the lower corner protector with the tiedown casing.

FIG. 18 is a side view of a lower corner protector in an unfolded, open position.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the corner protector shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a cross-section of FIG. 18 taken along line 2020.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of freight tiedowns of the present invention, each designated generally at and fixed in the bed 12 of a typical railroad flat car. The bed 12 is formed in conventional fashion, by the transverse flooring planks 15. However, planks are omitted at spaced intervals for reception of the various tiedowns 10 as shown.

Each tiedown 10 includes an elongated hollow casing 20. Preferably, the casing is a length of structural steel channel having a hollow rectangular cross-section. As best shown in FIGS. 715, the casing 20 is mounted so that upper wall 21 is slightly above the level of bed 12 and between the flooring planks 15. Each casing 20 is fixed in the bed 12 by suitable fastening means attaching bottom wall 23 to the underframe (not shown) of the carrier. The upper wall 21 has a slot 25 extending from opposite ends of the casing 20 to the mid-portion 26, as best indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3. At the mid-portion 26 the upper wall 21 is left intact to provide a protective sill thereover. Each end of the casing 20 is closed by welding on an end plate 27 shown in detail at FIG. 7. The upper portions of end plates 27 are left open, as indicated. An opening 28 is provided through each end plate 27, as shown.

Traveler means are provided by separate traveler blocks 30, 32, which are preferably heavy castings or forgings of a suitably durable metal. Traveler blocks 30, 32 are, in general, lengths of channel having an H-shaped cross-section, as may be seen from FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. Side and top flanges 36, 35 project upward and outward from traveler blocks 30, 32, as illustrated. It is noted that the side flanges 36 project from a thickened portion at the front of each respective traveler block. The side flanges 36 serve as barriers blocking the entry of debris into the mid-portion of channel 20. Downward flanges 37 are spaced apart and extend below to form the sides of traveler blocks 30, 32.

Long and flexible tie means may be provided by any suitably strong chain, cable, or the like. In the preferred embodiment, adequate lengths of chain 40, 42 have their ends attached by means of the U-bolt arrangement shown in FIG. 4 to the thickened front end of a respective traveler block 30, 32. There the underside of each traveler block 30, 32 has been slotted for the reception of the U-bolt 45 and nuts 46 thereon in the manner indicated. A retaining bar 47 extends across the legs of U-bolt 45 to maintain the nuts 46 in their respective slots. The small cap screw 48, through the traveler block, is threaded into bar 47 to secure it in place. In this manner, the U-bolt is attached to the front end of the traveler blocks 30, 32. An end link of each chain 40, 42 is interlinked with a U- bolt 45, and is thus securely affixed to the front end of a respective traveler block 30, 32. Naturally, there are other satisfactory ways to attach the chains 40, 42. Also, it is understood that at least one of the chain lengths 40, 42 may include a pair of hooks 49 at an outer end. One hook may be used, as shown in FIG. 14, to hook the chain lengths 40, 42 together about a typical load 50. The other hook 49 is used to take up slack by looping chain 40 back on itself.

Foldable corner protectors 51, 52 are provided between the chain and corners of freight 50. The corner protectors have flat bearing flanges 56 and reinforcement ridges 57 backing those flanges. As may be visualized best with reference to FIGS. 1420, the corner protectors 51, 52 are two parts hinged together with a pin 58. Notice that the lower corner protectors 51 differ in shape from the upper corner protectors 52. As may be best visualized by reference to FIGS. 17-20, one part 54 of lower corner protectors 51 has a cross-sectional shape fitting within slot 25. Part 54 also has under flanges 55, which engage the under surface of upper wall 21, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 17. (The end plate 27 has been left open at the top to accommodate the insertion and removal of part 54 into slot 25 of casing 26.) Both upper corner protectors 52 and lower corner protectors 51 have an opening 59 through one of the parts at the pin 58. The lengths of chain 40, 42 pass through opening 59 between the pin 58 and flat flanges 56, as shown in FIG. 17. In this manner the corner protectors 51, 52 are joined to the chain lengths, yet are slidable to various positions therealong. This insures that the corner protectors 51, 52 will not be misplaced during storage.

A jack means is enclosed in the casing 20 within the mid-portion 26 to forcibly move the traveler blocks 30, 32, and tighten the chains 40, 42 on the freight 50. Because of high mechanical advantage and holding ability, the jack means are provided by a jack-screw 60, which is longitudinally aligned within casing 20.

Jack-screw 60 is a dual-direction type, having a right hand thread 61 and a left hand thread 63, both extending from a shoulder portion 62, inward to the center of the screw. The opposite ends of the screw 60 have reduced diameter portions 64, projecting outward from each shoulder portion 62. The reduced diameter portions 64 terminate in a coupling member, such as the male coupling 65, which may be in square, hexagon, or like shapes. An extension shaft 66 has a matching coupling 67 engaged on coupling 65. An extension shaft 66 is provided at each end of the jack-screw 60 to extend it outward to the end plates 27. The outer ends 68 of the extension shafts 67 have a reduced diameter portion 69 journaled in the opening 28 of end plate 27. The outer ends 68 may terminate in either a male or female coupling. Thus, an appropriately shaped tool (shown in phantom on FIGS. 2 and 3) may be engaged for rotation of the jack-screw 60 from either side of the carrier. For example, a ratchet type wrench or a pneumatic wrench may be utilized.

A pair of brackets 70 are provided by the lengths of angle iron 71 with a bearing plate 73 welded across the ends. Two brackets 70 are required, one for each reduced end portion 64 of the jack-screw 60. Each bracket 70 is secured on the bottom wall 23 and within the mid-portion 26 by means of suitable fasteners, such as the bolts and nuts 75 shown. An opening 76 is provided through the bearing plate 73, as shown in FIG. 10, for reception of the reduced end portions 64 of the jack-screw 60, which 18 journaled therein. A hardened thrust bushing 78 may be provided, as illustrated between the bearing plate 73 and shoulder portions 62 of the jack-screw 60. A right hand and left hand jack nut 72, 74 are correspondingly engaged, one on the right hand thread 61 and one on the left hand thread 63, respectively, of jack-screw 60. Thus, rotation of the jack-screw 60 in one direction brings the nuts 72, 74 together toward the center and an opposite rotation will separate the nuts. Each nut 72, 74 includes an upwardly projecting and threaded stud 77 and load bearing flanges 79 which mate in grooves provided at the rear of the traveler blocks 30, 32. Stud 77 projects through an opening in the rear end of a respective one of the traveler blocks 30, 32. A nut 80 on the threaded stud 77 secures a jack nut 72, 74 to the rear end of each traveler block 30, 32. The jack nuts 72, 74 may be separated from the traveler blocks 30, 32, and therefore may be of a different material. For example, the traveler blocks may be of a steel casting or forging, while the jack nuts are of a bronze or other weather resistant metal to prevent rusting together of the threads. The separate and smaller jack nuts also provide for convenience in machining the threads. However, it is understood that the traveler blocks and jack nuts may, if desired, be integral.

Thus, when it is desired to secure a load 50 on carrier 12, all that is necessary is to hook chains 40, 42 together and then tighten by a rotation of the jack-screw 60. The rotation is easily accomplished by the insertion of a handle having a coupling member fitting the coupling of extension shafts 66. The operation is from either end of casing 20. The high mechanical advantage of the jackscrew insures that the chains may be tightened to a very high tension. Also, the jack-screws will maintain that tension by holding the traveler blocks 30, 32, immovable until the screw is rotated. The lower corner protectors 51 may slide along slots and are held by the chains against the load. The under flanges 55 engage the under surfaces of wall 21 to provide a vertical anchor at each side of the load. When it is desired to loosen the chain, all that is necessary is to turn the jack-screw 60 in a reverse direction.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of potential attributes thereof.

I claim:

1. A tiedown apparatus for securing freight on a carrier bed, comprising in combination: an elongated hollow casing fixed transversely across said bed, said casing having an upper wall with a slot extending from each outer end to the mid-portion thereof; traveler means within said casing movable to various positions therealong; a long, flexible tie means fastened to said traveler means and extendable through said slot and out of said casing for wrapping about said freight; jack screw means journaled within said casing to forcibly move said traveler means and tighten said tie means about said freight, said traveler means being held by said jack screw means at any of said various positions to secure said freight on said bed; and corner protectors between said tie means and freight corners, said corner protectors each having flat perpendicularly disposed surfaces. bearing against adjacent sides of said freight on both sides of said freight corners, the lowermost protectors slidable along said slots and having under flanges engaging the under side of said upper wall to provide a vertical anchor thereat.

2. A tiedown apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said jack screw means includes a pair of brackets anchored within said casing at spaced positions within said mid-portion thereof, and a jack screw longitudinally aligned within said casing between said brackets, said screw having opposite ends journaled in said bracket members, said opposite ends including shoulders topped by said brackets to limit axial travel therebetween of said screw.

3. A tiedown apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said jack screw means includes extension shafts extending at said opposite ends of said jack screw outward from said mid-portion to each side of said carrier, each of said shafts presenting a key means at each side of said carrier to engage with a detachable tool for rotation of said jack screw to tighten or loosen said tie means, as desired.

4. A tiedown apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said jack screw has oppositely formed threads, that is, a right-hand thread and a left-hand thread, respectively, running from each of said opposite ends to near the center of said jack screw, and also including a pair of jack nuts correspondingly threaded one on each of said oppositely formed threads, whereby rotation of said jack screw in one direction brings said nuts together toward said center and an opposite rotation separating said nuts.

5. A tiedown apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said traveler means are provided by a pair of separate traveler blocks affixed to respective of said jack nuts, and said flexible tie means include chain lengths, each affixed to a respective one of said traveler blocks.

6. A tiedown apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said traveler blocks are elongated, said chain lengths and jack nuts being afiixed at positions thereon spaced apart axially with respect to said jack screw so that tightening force between said jack nuts and jack screw is mainly in an axial direction along said jack screw, to thereby prevent cocking and jamming of said jack nuts.

7. A tiedown apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said traveler blocks include downward flanges spaced apart for reception of said jack screw and brackets therebetween, said downward flanges cooperating with said brackets to maintain the alignment of said traveler blocks along said screw, yet allowing said traveler blocks to be moved to said various positions.

8. A tiedown apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein each of said corner protectors have flat portions which are foldable to bear against two sides of said freight, and also reinforcement ridges backing said flat portions, said portions unfolding to a storage disposition with said ridges in said slots of said casing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,315,196 3/1943 Gallione 248-361 2,559,185 7/ 1951 Carroll. 2,768,004 10/1956 Wagner 280-479 2,942,912 6/1960 Lucas et a1. 280-179 X 2,969,023 1/1961 Chapman et al.

DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

